The Indicator from Planet Money · Wednesday, September 23, 2026
The pandemic's disruption to car production in 2020 continues to affect the used car market, leading to fewer choices for buyers. This reduced supply, described as a "choke point," is a key driver of higher prices for used vehicles.
“Lower car production from 2020 means used car shoppers have fewer choices years later, like in 2026.”
“I call it like watching the snake eat the eat the mouse or whatever. You kind of see it through time. It's a choke point, right where there's lower supply.”
“If there's lower supply, um, there's generally higher prices.”